Death Stranding

For everyone still on the fence:

Yes, apart from discovering the story, it's ALL about delivering cargo. This can be 'tedious' and 'boring'. I compare it to a marvelous game like Journey where all you do is walk towards your goal. Death stranding is more lengthy and expands on the mechanics. The pacing is decent.

- Consider avoiding spoilers and maybe buy it when it's free on PS+ or wait till it's on the PC (summer 2020).

- The mentioned tedious and boring part are imo the reason to give it a pass or buy it. If you still are very curious about the story you can look for 'Death Stranding movie' on YouTube where the game is edited down to only the movie by using only cutscenes.

- If you still want some gameplay, there is also an option to play the game that puts emphasis on the story and limits gameplay. (very easy mode)

comment by Amigawolf no longer MIA (U18508)
posted 6 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by Edward Elizabeth Hitler. (U14393)
posted 3 hours, 5 minutes ago

I really wanted this game but am concerned it’s just about delivering parcels. Do you get to shoot and kill anyone ?

From what I have seen, you actively try to avoid combat, Which in a way means when you are forced into survival mode, it makes the experience far more intense and stressful. Coming out the other side there is a sense of relief, and hope that you won't have to do that again, hope that you know is doomed.

It is actually really clever, and unique.
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One thing that caused a blatent feeling of gratitude is when I need to traverse highground and then find a rope/ladder left by someone. "Thank you…!" is something that really hits home. Same with finding shelter build by others or bikes left by others, bridges, etc.

It IS a 'strand' game. A game that connects.

What does shelter achieve? Do you die without it? When you collect things to build stuff what is the reason for building? Do you keep returning to the same place you’ve built, and use it to store things etc? Or are you constantly on the move never really having a ‘base’?

Timefall drops from time to time. It damages your cargo. Usually you can rest there and gain some stamina/lost blood back while you make a tea or coffee. You can upgrade it to have music played (any user can change the song from a selection menu).

There are also postboxes with a build in 'shared' or private locker. if you picked up lots of lost cargo from the field you can entrust it to someone else. Offloading this cargo there will get you less likes for not delivering it to its destination, but still a few likes.

The bigger cities/bases are your bases. The little outposts where you need to go have limited capabilities. For instance there is no private room where you can sleep, shower and drink monster energy (gives a stamina boost up to 25%) (lol) Yes, product placement is a thing.

So you're constantly on the move, with the West of America as your final destination. Along the way you connect bases and outposts to expand the chiral network, that is the main goal of the story. 'Chiral network' can be seen as the internet.

Still feeling the same about the game, those that have it? Nobody bored yet? Gonna get it at Christmas I think when I'll have a few weeks off to play it.

@Mike
The game gets 'better' in Episode 3. It's by no means a game for casual gamers who prefer 'fun' when they use games as a form of escapism. The mundane gameplay is deliberately implemented. I currently have 340k+ likes and take great satisfaction of building highways and helping others while the story is getting more interesting as world progression followed. If it's not your cup of tea it's perfectly fine not to play it though.

Delivering packages is the core gameplay. This will not change.

I'm not overly fussed about it as I found MSG5 incredibly tedious after the first few hours (loved the first few hours though).

comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 1 day, 5 hours ago
I'm not overly fussed about it as I found MSG5 incredibly tedious after the first few hours (loved the first few hours though).
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It was a mistake to make a tactical espionage game in an open world setting. A linear experience would have improved the pacing a lot more and confining the action in hubs would make gameplay more engaging. Though the combat/gameplay was superb. Haven't seen another action game where you had so many creative choices to engage the enemy.

I’ve got it, I love it but it depends what you want from a game. If it’s story and a cinematic open world then you’ll love it. If you’re looking for some kind of GTA style open world then you’ll hate it

Graphics and cinematography are breath taking. Good story, well directed and it rewards patience. A much better No Mans Sky if you will (which was dreadful)

I've finally finished the game a few days ago after being reluctant to do storymissions (didn't want it to end). I'm not ashamed to admit that mantears were shed and mind was blown. Im still thinking of the game, it's amazing story, the acting (tommie earl Jenkins needs an oscar for one particular powerful scene) and what it all meant for me as a person.

I genuinly feel sorry for people who don't like the slow pace of the gameplay and/or don't care much about the supernatural/sci fi story, BUT I respect their taste. If you can't muster the patience for the gameplay I recommend to watch the movievideo of the game.

If you're a parent.. brace yourself.